New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-14

MEXICO.

Mr. Wells made visit to Mexico In 1885, travel.
npR in special train over the whole length OF the
Mexican Central. most Of the Vera Cruz and City OF
Mexico and part Of tho Mexican National railroads.
che train running upon its own time aud stop
ping long enough at every point Of interest to
satisfy curiosity. "Such fac li;ies" he remarks,
"for ielsurey visiting and studying 30 much Of
Mexico had rarely, If ever before been granted"
The length Of railroad trsversed was about 5000
miles, while the territorial extent Of the Republic
mir Wells gives its area three times with very
wide variation in the gures) lie not much less than
that of the whole United states east OF the Mssis-
sippi River. The authors boast OF his unrlvaiied
opportunities for observation seems therefore some
what extravaganza. No doubt bis excursion was
made under conditions which other tourists might
we'll envy; but 1t can hardly be said
TO have furnished sufficient basis for discussing
the social political and economical problems OF a
country of vast extent and diversified character
Mr. Wells indeed, does not profess to rely upon
travelling Impressions He has made dillgent use
of consular reports official statistics, and similar
Aources of intormatiou and with the help OF these
materials he has formed an estimate of the cond-
ton and prospects of Mexico which will fill many
of our country men with surprise and dIsappoint-
ment His manner is much too dOgnatc. lie IL
fond of drawing sweeping conclusions from doubt
full data and even his economical chapters are
hibited in his attack npon Prescott, whose
"romaucesp except In their story Of the military
operations OF the Soaniards, he calls not much
more worthy of respect than the stories of Sin dbad
the Sailor Yet SO little has he studied the question
of Aztec civilization that he difference be-
tween the ingenious picture writing OF the ancieut
Mexicaps-which Ia o true phonetic systcm-ahd
the rude drawings with which the North Amer
lean Indian ornaments his skins or scratches upon
the rocks; aud he boldly declares that the famous
pyramid of Cholula is almost an exact counter
part" Of the mounds of the Mississippi valley.
from which it differs essentially both in shape and
construction.
These opinions are not in themselves Of much i'm
portance. because Mr.. Wells does not write as an
Archaeological OF historian. We cite them as illus
trations of habit of mind for which It is necessary
70 make allow ances in reading his book-the habit
of being too cock-sure. His judgment upon Mexico
IL expressed in the following unqualified terms;
1.-The Mexico of to-day, through coniOined natural
and artificial Tor human influences Is one of the
very poorest and most wretched of all conntries
and. while undoubtedly capable of very great i'm
prOvement over her present conditions, is not
speedily ultimately likely. under
any circumstances. to develop into great lin the
sense of highly civilized, rich and powerful ma
tioD." That the country at present produces very
winch our author is never tired of enforcing That
1t is Incapable of large production does not appear.
The coast-l,ne is unhealthy; yet worse regions
than the terras oaIentes of Mexico are made to
yield wealth. The interior table land is arid, but
1t Is irrgable and we have seen In California and
elsewhere what wonders man can perform by
watering q thirsty land The TRANSPORTATION OF
the country renders tral sportation expensive. but
the railroads already correcting that difficulty
OF tho natural fertility of the soil there is no ques-
ton; and the mines, although their value may
have been exaggerated show no signs of exhaus-
ton. The capacity Of the people is more
serious problem There arc 10000 900 OF
100000 Inhabitants, of whom One-half are
of mixed boOd-the mcstizos- constituting the
dominant race. the farmers soldiers, muleteers ser
wants and what would be the middle clas
II such a class could be said to exist In Mexico
Where the infusion of white blood has been large
tho mcstizos sometimes exhibit ability but a large
proportion of them are "among the lowest and
vlest specimens Of humanity in existence class
exhibiting every vice, with hardly the possession
of single virtue" Pure-booded Indians form one
third Of the total population and the remaining
sixth consists Of Europeans and their immediate
descendants Three-quarters more of the In
habitants arc unable to read write, have little or
no property, and without any intelligent idea OF
government or liberty or any concern whatever In
political questions. Elections are farcical Very
few vote; and the Government counts as it pleases
The life of the masses is far more sordd-more de-
graded in both physical and intellectual condi-
tions-than was that of our Southern negroes De-
fore emancipation. The poverty OF the people
s aggravated by the concentration of large estates
in the hands o. few magnates; but 1t may be
doubted whether distribution of land would make
much difference in the productiveness of the coun-
try. The landlords are indifferent and unenterpris-
ing, but the labOrers are still more so.
There would seem to be little hope Of building
great nation upon such people; but the question
is are they imprOvingf and to this Mr. Wells gives
Us no positive answer He writes at some length
of the great revolution effected by Juarez when he
subjugated the church and confscated the ecclesi-
astical property and he dwells upon the fact that
the radical course Of reform has been uninchingly
pursued by every subsequent administration. But
he does inquire whether the result of the change
has been what was hoped for. One is rather in
clined to infer from his pages that the material
condition Of the country remains about what
il was before. The Government realized
little or nothing from the cOnfscations, aud the
church lands instead of being divided among the
people, fell into the hands Of Adventures. or went
to swell the estates Of prOprletors who had too
much already. The basis Of Mexican prosperity
must be reform in the National character; and
that Is work of time. Education has as yet accom-
plished very little. The administration Of govern
ment has improved under President Diaz, but Mr..
Wells has no great confidence in its stability. 1t
certainly has not the popular basis which cOnsti-
tutes the strength of republic The system OF
taxation is one Of the worst imaginable As the
few thousand landowners are the governing class.
the land goes nearly Free while imposts are placed
upon almost every article of merchandise or con-
sumption, upon every commercial transaction. upon
everything that tax-gatherer can reach; every
State Of the confederation Is allowed to set up
tariff Of its own; and the towns levy local duties
besides Yet Mr.. Wells does not see how any
reform Of this wasteful and obstructive method OF
exactions L. practicable In country where the
mass Of the people 10 30 absolutely poor OF course